facts

Tornados

A tornado is made up of cold air coming down, hot air rising up and strong wind in the middle. Tornados are sometimes called twisters. A tornado is a fast spinning tube of air that touches both the clouds and the ground. Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 100 miles per hour, about 161 kilometres per hour. The most powerful tornadoes occur in the United States of America. Extreme tornadoes can reach wind speeds over 300 miles per hour, (483 kilometres per hour). Most tornadoes travel a few miles before exhausting themselves. Extreme tornadoes can travel much further, sometimes over 100 miles per hour, about 161 kilometres. The United States of Americas averages are around 1200 tornadoes per year, more than any other country. US States most often hit by tornadoes include Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Florida. In 1989 the deadliest tornado ever recorded in the world killed around 1300 people in Bangladesh. In the southern hemisphere tornadoes usually rotate in a clockwise direction. In the northern hemisphere tornadoes usually rotate in a counter clockwise direction. A tornado that occurs over water is often called a waterspout. Basements and other underground areas are the safest places to stay safe during a tornado. It is also a good idea to stay away from windows.

By:Mikayla   www.sciencekids.co.nz/